The Criterion Collection

[pedromvu]

Just to expand on what I said before, I am sure they want to release all kinds of films that for rights issues or missing restorations they can't, so they have to fill in with other works in the meantime, otherwise they would stall their production waiting for the proper deals or restorations to take place just to make sure they don't release the so called "not worthy" films.

Better to have many releases, sometimes their popular choices are also good movies that haven't been released in Region A, so I bite.

I mean I doubt they can get any movie they want in the world and have it looking to the proper standard we are used to, or if they can, it sometimes take longer to do than we think.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

It was a question asked in a online chat a while back, maybe even a couple years ago now. They indicated they were not going to release a Blu ray until they were able to come up with a suitable transfer. Same with Andrei Rublev.

I wonder if that's still a problem with Andrei Rublev? There are certainly blus (even English friendly ones) out there now.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

I used to think this way, but I have seen many times the argument that only a fraction of the audience buys region free players or is willing to import films, I know with the internet it is much easier, but I think it's a fair point, you would think at least the hardcore fans that post here everyday would do it, but I don't think even 100% of them do it.

I guess we will see, if it becomes one of the biggest sellers it will mean not many people purchased from overseas, or maybe they double dipped

I got my region free player for around $70 USD. Sears was giving $10 in bonus points for purchases over $50, so I coupled that w/ another coupon and got a $50 SRP Cohen title for $7.

I know some people feel that it will open the floodgates, so to say, and that not being region free actually helps to curb their spending (in a relative way.) I think if some would be willing to temper their allegiance to Criterion or to Twilight Time, they'd find that in many instances, they can import comparable titles w/ good PQ for less money.

I, too, think that serious cinephiles should strongly consider a region free player. There's too much great stuff out there that will never get a domestic Blu-ray release. (or in some cases, a reasonable quality DVD release.)

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by shadedpain4

I wonder if that's still a problem with Andrei Rublev? There are certainly blus (even English friendly ones) out there now.

I heard that Andrei Rublev is a multi-year restoration, and often these things are done quietly until ready for release. Even if ready overseas, it may not be Criterion ready.

I can't be specific here, but I do know of a release that was on iTunes and some restoration work was done afterward at Criterion, so it is still possible that is happening with Le Samourai.

[JoeBuck]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

p.s. Later today we will have a review for Mister Johnson. Three more reviews should be up by Sunday night.

Will one of those be for Kwaidan????

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

I heard that Andrei Rublev is a multi-year restoration, and often these things are done quietly until ready for release. Even if ready overseas, it may not be Criterion ready.

I can't be specific here, but I do know of a release that was on iTunes and some restoration work was done afterward at Criterion, so it is still possible that is happening with Le Samourai.

I haven't watched my Andrei Rublev blu-ray yet, so i can't comment on the quality. I need to get to it soon!

[ShellOilJunior]

Originally Posted by CriterionBlues

I heard that Andrei Rublev is a multi-year restoration, and often these things are done quietly until ready for release. Even if ready overseas, it may not be Criterion ready.

I can't be specific here, but I do know of a release that was on iTunes and some restoration work was done afterward at Criterion, so it is still possible that is happening with Le Samourai.

It's a big enough deal to get the ol': Restoration/Tour/Video roll out.

[ParaOK]

Originally Posted by Brad1963

Every month after the new announcements there seems to be discussion about Criterion's choices. I'm not always interested in everything they release, but IMO they are always consistent with what they promise and do offer a diverse line up on films. I've been a collector since the Laserdisc days and I cannot remember a time when they offered so much as they do now. Film restoration has made it possible to deliver films like Blind Chance and Here is My Life, and to have Day For Night on Blu ray is a dream come true.

Sometimes I read these posts and the postings on the main page and wonder what people expect from Criterion. I've read comparisons to other labels and try to understand the connection. Criterion really cannot be compared to anyone else IMO. They are their own special brand, offering titles they feel need to be brought into the marketplace for whatever reason. But they do it with the understanding that their followers enjoy a wide variety of films and they do not expect you to love them all.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. Given the diversity of films Criterion releases, it's common sense that you won't be in to all of them.

I see every new announcement as a win. If I like the releases, then I have some great films to add to my library. If I don't like the releases, I get to save some money and they are probably exciting to someone else.

[bwdowiak]

Had the great pleasure of seeing Yi Yi recently... The plot is a bit loose, but Yi Yi is a film more about feeling than it is about the details of its plot. There a few scenes that are cinematic perfection - scenes that hardly need the context of the plot to understand their greatness. The film balances comedy with gravely serious life (and death) matters that everyone can relate to. Yi Yi wraps up

[Show spoiler]on a tone that is perhaps too morose

, but considering the ambitious nature of this 3 hour film, I feel that it is easy to look past that.

A GREAT film!

Thanks to Shell and to CriterionBlues for singing the praises of this film! It wasn't even on my radar until recently when the feeling suddenly struck that I HAD to see this movie.

[Ray Jackson]

I watched Masculine Feminine last night on TCM for the first time.

What an incredible film.

While I'm not the world's biggest Godard fan, I have seen most of his films from the 1960s.

This one may be my favorite.

I found the ending to be somewhat disturbing.

...but it's pure Godard.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Nobody should be interested in ALL of the titles The Criterion Collection releases. Certainly not myself but there are many of them I am though. Glad it's more of a pick and choose as you go along too.

That was running through my head almost verbatim as I was reading that conversation. If I do backflips over every single thing they announce then they're doing something wrong.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Nobody should be interested in ALL of the titles The Criterion Collection releases. Certainly not myself but there are many of them I am though. Glad it's more of a pick and choose as you go along too.

It's not the same being interested and being enthusiastic of all their releases, while I am not enthusiastic of all their releases I am still interested to see all (well except maybe the most experimental and shorts stuff), there has been some nice surprises in films I am a reluctant to see at first, but with so many great films out there, I understand people that don't want to loose time in films that outright doesn't interest them at all at first glance.

[pedromvu]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Had the great pleasure of seeing Yi Yi recently... The plot is a bit loose, but Yi Yi is a film more about feeling than it is about the details of its plot. There a few scenes that are cinematic perfection - scenes that hardly need the context of the plot to understand their greatness. The film balances comedy with gravely serious life (and death) matters that everyone can relate to. Yi Yi wraps up

[Show spoiler]on a tone that is perhaps too morose

, but considering the ambitious nature of this 3 hour film, I feel that it is easy to look past that.

A GREAT film!

Thanks to Shell and to CriterionBlues for singing the praises of this film! It wasn't even on my radar until recently when the feeling suddenly struck that I HAD to see this movie.

Agreed 100% it is an amazing film, one of those movies that seem to encompass everything in life, like Ray's The Big City, another of my favorites.

That is why I can't wait to see Criterion forthcoming release of A Brighter Summer Day, if it ever comes out, as it is supposed to be as good or even better.

[bwdowiak]

Originally Posted by pedromvu

Agreed 100% it is an amazing film, one of those movies that seem to encompass everything in life, like Ray's The Big City, another of my favorites.

That is why I can't wait to see Criterion forthcoming release of A Brighter Summer Day, if it ever comes out, as it is supposed to be as good or even better.

Yeah, me too. I understand that ABSD is 4 hours so I hope it gets a stand alone release and isn't part of the WCF set.

[shadedpain4]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Nobody should be interested in ALL of the titles The Criterion Collection releases.

Why not?

[spargs]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I watched Masculine Feminine last night on TCM for the first time.

What an incredible film.

While I'm not the world's biggest Godard fan, I have seen most of his films from the 1960s.

This one may be my favorite.

I found the ending to be somewhat disturbing.

...but it's pure Godard.

Yeah, I noticed that TCM showed this and Alphaville in HD overnight the other night, and set my DVR to record both.

[buffetfroid]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Nobody should be interested in ALL of the titles The Criterion Collection releases. Certainly not myself but there are many of them I am though. Glad it's more of a pick and choose as you go along too.

I'm interested enough to watch anything Criterion releases. Owning it is an entirely different story. I'm not going to cry and ***** when they don't release things I want to buy.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by JoeBuck

Will one of those be for Kwaidan????

Hi Joe.

I don't have a screener for this release yet, but when it arrives I will do it right away as I know that a lot of people are looking forward to it. We will be putting up reviews for: A Special Day, The Honeymoon Killers, Moonrise Kingdom and A Room with a View.

Have a great weekend

Pro-B

[Namuhana]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

Hi Joe.

I don't have a screener for this release yet, but when it arrives I will do it right away as I know that a lot of people are looking forward to it. We will be putting up reviews for: A Special Day, The Honeymoon Killers, Moonrise Kingdom and A Room with a View.

Have a great weekend

Pro-B

I can't wait to read your thoughts on Moonrise Kingdom and A Room with a View, as they're two of my most anticipated releases this year.

[CriterionBlues]

Originally Posted by bwdowiak

Had the great pleasure of seeing Yi Yi recently... The plot is a bit loose, but Yi Yi is a film more about feeling than it is about the details of its plot. There a few scenes that are cinematic perfection - scenes that hardly need the context of the plot to understand their greatness. The film balances comedy with gravely serious life (and death) matters that everyone can relate to. Yi Yi wraps up

[Show spoiler]on a tone that is perhaps too morose

, but considering the ambitious nature of this 3 hour film, I feel that it is easy to look past that.

A GREAT film!

Thanks to Shell and to CriterionBlues for singing the praises of this film! It wasn't even on my radar until recently when the feeling suddenly struck that I HAD to see this movie.

That is awesome. Glad I inspired you. For what it's worth, this last revisitation was my 3rd viewing, and I can attest that it gets better with age.